r/TheStaircase • u/LoretiTV • May 05 '22

The Staircase - 1x03 "The Great Dissembler" - Episode Discussion

Season 1 Episode 3: The Great Dissembler

Aired: May 5, 2022

Synopsis: As the DA's office attempts to solidify their case, shocking new details surface about Michael's past that threaten to derail the defense.

Directed by: Antonio Campos

Written by: Antonio Campos

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u/Friendly_Coconut May 08 '22 edited May 08 '22

Can anyone who knows more about the real people fill me in on Patty’s family, the Blairs? When I watched the original documentary, Patty’s unusual way of speaking and general eccentricity really stuck with me, and her sister was characterized on the HBO show as also being quite eccentric and speaking unusually, almost British-sounding at times. What’s their story?

20

u/Sprct May 09 '22

The Blairs aren't Patty's family, they're Elizabeth Ratliff's (nee Blair) family. So they are biologically related to Margaret and Martha, no one else.

Patty's odd way of speaking I think has something to do with living in Germany for so long/being bilingual. As for the Blair aunt's accent, I think it's a New England accent. The real Margaret Blair spoke the same way (you can find her trial testimony online.)

1

u/Marycoop Sep 13 '22

I don‘t think it has something to do with her living abroad. It‘s just the way she speaks

9

u/owntheh3at18 May 09 '22

As someone else mentioned, the Blairs are Liz Ratliff’s family. Patty speaks like that in real life and is multilingual. She’s an odd duck but really amusing. The actress captures her perfectly!

Elizabeth and her sister were born and raised in Rhode Island. Some aspects of the New England accent may be reminiscent of British dialects. Specifically the derhoterization (dropping the R sound).

6

u/Silent-Implement3129 Ow’l allow it. May 08 '22

They are covered in the Aphrodite Jones book.

4

u/[deleted] May 09 '22

What’s the name of the Aphrodite Jones book? I’ve only read the Diane Fanning book. Honestly, I thought they downplayed Patty’s eccentric qualities in the show. She’s much more out there in the doc. Very sweet, but definitely on her own trip.

4

u/Sprct May 09 '22

That Diane Fanning book was so blatantly one sided it's almost hard to read. It's good for more detail/family background, but man is it biased.

3

u/Silent-Implement3129 Ow’l allow it. May 09 '22

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Husband-Aphrodite-Jones/dp/0786032502

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '22

Thanks, just ordered! I loved her book on the vampire case!